PRESS RELEASE: Caribbean TV Series “Taste the Islands” Picked Up for Second Nationwide Run

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Katie Hwang
Company: Island Syndicate
Phone Number: 417-812-5663
Email: katie [at] islandsyndicate [dot] com

Caribbean TV Series “Taste the Islands” Picked Up for Second Nationwide Run

Fort Lauderdale, FL (February 28, 2017) – In 2015, Caribbean cooking show “Taste the Islands” made history by becoming the first Jamaican-produced and Jamaican-hosted series on US national public television. Show creators Blondie Ras Productions have announced that the second season will premiere this June, Caribbean American Heritage Month, on Create TV and select PBS stations around the country. Public television’s favorite Caribbean culinarian, Jamaican Hugh “Chef Irie” Sinclair, will be joined by two new cast members, Haitian Cynthia “Chef Thia” Verna, and island explorer “Lisa Lee” Arneaud. Fans of island cuisine can find out where to watch locally, as well as discover recipes, see behind the scenes images and more on the show’s website, www.tastetheislandstv.com.

The cast of “Taste the Islands” Season 2: Chef Thia, Lisa Lee & Chef Irie. Photo by: David I. Muir

“Taste the Islands” is a half-hour cooking series featuring delightfully exotic, deliciously accessible Caribbean fare. The eight part second season includes segments with one or both chefs creating dishes inspired by various islands, while culinary travel stories explore the inviting mystique of the season’s host island, Barbados. Viewers will also get a glimpse of life in Jamaica and Haiti through the eyes of the chefs who grew up there.

The family friendly program presents an opportunity for viewers to learn about the food and culture of the Caribbean. Along with her highness, the reigning queen of soca music Alison Hinds, cameo appearances are made by Jamaican Consul General Franz Hall and celebrity makeup artist Rory Lee. The series also features the music of acclaimed Haitian musician Kapi of the band Tabou Combo.

“This project has truly become a labor of love for our team at Blondie Ras Productions, and a mark of pride for the Caribbean American community”, said Executive Producer Calibe Thompson. “We’ve stepped up the production quality from the last season to this one. And after a long hiatus we are all overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from our major supporters, Barbados and Grace Foods, along with Lakay Food, Caribbean Airlines and Wright Style Clothing, as well as the Jamaica Tourist Board who made our first season possible. Myself, Associate Producer Lukkee Chong and the colorful characters in front of the camera are all excited to see the response this second time around.”

Public television viewers can once again expect to be taken on a culinary journey through the islands in each episode.

Watch the new series promo:

Create® TV, is the dynamic 24/7 digital channel of popular lifestyle programming distributed by American Public Television (APT). Its do-it-yourself genres include the best from APT’s extensive library of cooking, home-improvement, gardening, painting, crafts and travel series, as well as well-known titles from NETA and PBS.

About Blondie Ras Productions

Blondie Ras Productions is a South Florida-based video production company that creates Caribbean-inspired lifestyle content for a sophisticated viewing audience. The company seeks to become the preeminent source for Caribbean-related television content.

About APT

American Public Television (APT) has been a leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations since 1961. For 10 years, APT has annually distributed one-third or more of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U. S. Among its 300 new program titles per year, APT programs include prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies. America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Rick Steves’ Europe, Live From the Artists Den, Doc Martin, Nightly Business Report, Midsomer Murders, Vera, NHK Newsline, Lidia’s Kitchen, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, and P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home join numerous documentaries and performance programs popular with public television viewers. APT licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. Now in its 10th year, Create® TV — featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming — is distributed by APT. APT also distributes WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.